USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 32
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ciation soon to be erected on their lot, corner of Pearl and Ford streets, which was given for that purpose by the late General Hillyer at the solicita- tion of Mr. Dillingham. He is a member of the Connecticut Congregational Club, chaplain of the Hartford county jail since 1879, and member of the City Mission board for several years. He has acted as temporary supply for the pulpit of nearly every country church within a radius of twenty miles from Hartford, never accepting remuneration for services thus rendered. He was chosen coun- cilman for the Seventh ward in Hartford in 1887, and re-elected for three successive terms, repre- senting the republicans, of which party he has been an active member since its organization. His re- ligious connections are with the Windsor Avenue Congregational church, in the prosperity of which organization he has been an important factor.
Mr. Dillingham was married in 1860 to Miss Josephine A. Potter, daughter of the late Henry Potter of Fall River, and they have two children, Charles B. and Mabel B., the former of whom has been on the reportorial staff of one of the Hartford city dailies, was later city editor of a paper in Spokane Falls, Washington, and has recently been made private secretary to the Hon. Watson C. Squire, United States senator from that new north- western state.
JOHN AVERY, LEBANON: Farmer.
John Avery was born in Preston, Nov. 9, 1806, and received a common school education. He is a farmer by avocation and has resided in the town where he now lives since 1823. He was a member of the general assembly from Lebanon in 1864 and has held other important offices. He has been the treasurer of the Baptist church in Lebanon since 1846 and is a member of the board of deacons. For 65 years he has been a total abstainer from the use of intoxicating liq- uors, and has been at the head of a temperance so- JOHN AVERY. ciety for a considerable period. He has been a prominent Sunday-school worker, superintendent, and has been on the committee of the church for most of the time during the past fifty years. He has also held the office of justice of the peace. His father was Colonel David Avery of Preston, who was in the revolutionary war. His mother was Hannah Avery, daughter of Jolin Avery of Preston. Mr. Avery is the only one now living of a family of ten children. The first wife of Mr. Avery, whose
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maiden name was Clarissa M. Stiles, died in 1860. The second wife was Miss Almira A. Corey, who is still living. He has two children living. One daughter died in 1854. In politics Mr. Avery is a republican.
FRANK CHESTER FOWLER, MOODUS: Propri- etor Oak Grove Stock Farm.
Mr. Fowler was born in Moodus, December 26, 1859, and has spent most of his life there, except during his extensive travels over the South and West. He was educated at the common schools of his native town, and since his youth has been en- gaged in the manufacture or sale of proprietary medicines, and in the breeding of blooded horses. He is proprietor of a large stock farm, and has a business which in all departments amounts to $300,000 a year. Mr. Fow- F. C. FOWLER. ler married Miss E. H. Thompson, and they have two children. In politics he is an earnest republi- can, is a member of the organizations of Free Ma- sons and Odd Fellows, and actively interested in local public affairs. He is an energetic, stirring business man, and as such has achieved remarkable success in life for one of his years.
HENRY N. CLEMONS, DANIELSONVILLE: Cash- ier First National Bank of Killingly.
Henry N. Clemons was born in Granby in 1824, third son (of nine sons and three daughters) of Allen and Catherine (Stillman) Clemons, on the manor farm of his grand- father, Ferdinand Clem- ons (originally of one thousand acres), pur- chased and settled by his great-grandfather when the town was a part of Simsbury. He was edu- cated at home, in the dis- trict school, the Granby Academy, the Suffield Literary Institute, and the Williston Seminary, Mass. H. N. CLEMONS. He commenced teaching at the age of sixteen, and taught in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, and was for a while a clerk in the office of the school fund commissioner. In 1849 he began railroading with a surveying corps on the Canal
railroad in Farmington; became station agent there; and, on the extension of the road to Collins- ville, first agent at the last-named place, it being then the terminus of the main line. He was also assistant postmaster there. In 1852 he became ticket agent of the Providence & Worcester Rail- road at the Providence office. In 1855 he entered the Arcade Bank of Providence, and in 1856 was elected teller of the Merchants Bank of the same city, which was the exchange bank for the state of Rhode Island under the Suffolk system of state banks. While residing in Providence Mr. Clemons was a member of the Richmond Street Congrega- tional church, was a while their clerk and treasurer, and chairman of the music committee; was secre- tary of the Mendelssohn Choral Union; was on city's committees, and a state secretary of a political party for two years. In 1853 he originated and co- organized the Providence Young Men's Christian Association, and was their corresponding secre- tary. During the war of the rebellion, though exempt by the examining surgeon, was a member of the home guard. He was elected justice of the peace in the city of Providence, and held for years a commission as notary public for Rhode Island. In June, 1864, Mr. Clemons was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Killingly, at Danielson- ville; arranged its organization and commenced its banking business, and has held the office continu- ously to the present time. In January of this year the bank paid its fiftieth dividend, having paid to its stockholders in dividends $236,500 on a capital of $110,000. In July, 1864, he organized the Windham County Savings Bank of Danielsonville; was its treasurer and a trustee, holding the office some eleven years, in which time the deposits reached more than $1,250,000. In 1867 he arranged and superintended the erection of its present bank building and vaults. In 1876 he organized the Music Hall Company, was elected its treasurer and a director, which offices he now holds; and, as a member of its building committee, arranged the rooms and vault for the First National Bank in its block, which the bank now occupies. In 1866 he was elected clerk and treasurer of School District No. I, and continued on its union with District No. 2, when the High school building was erected, holding the treasurer's office eighteen years. He held the treasurer's office of the Congregational church thirteen years.
Mr. Clemons has been twice married: in 1848 to Miss Mary E. Spalding of Killingly, who died in 1869, leaving two children, a daughter, now a widow, Mrs. Emily A. Merriam, and a son, Ferdi- nand S., now in the Merchants National Bank, St. Paul, Minn .; in 1871 married his present wife, Miss Mary L. Collyer, only child of Samuel C. and Mary (Tabor) Collyer of Pawtucket, R. I. Mr.
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Clemons was a whig when made a voter, was a delegate to the whig convention at New Haven in 1852, became a republican on the organization of the party, has held his allegiance thoroughly as a temperance republican and a firm protectionist; is now all of thesc and a nationalist republican. Mr. Clemons has been borough treasurer and held other minor offices, and has held a notary public's com- mission more than twenty-five years.
EDWARD B. BENNETT, HARTFORD: Lawyer.
Edward Brown Bennett, son of William Bennett, a well-to-do farmer of Hampton, Windham County, Conn., was born in that town, April 12, 1842. He remained at home un- til about eighteen years of age, working on the farm summers and at- tending school or teaching during the winter months. In IS60 he entered Willis- ton Seminary at East- hampton, Mass., graduat- ing therefrom in 1862. In the fall of the same year he entered Yale College, and was graduated from that institution in 1866. At college he was active E. B. BENNETT. in athletic sports, and was on the Yale University crew in the years 1864, '65, '66. In 1866 and '67, after leaving college, he taught school; and at the same time studied law with the Hon. C. F. Cleve- land of Hampton. He completed his law studies with Hon. Franklin Chamberlin of Hartford, being more than a year in his office; was admitted to the bar of Windham County in January, 1868, and be- gan practice at Hampton. In April of the same year he was elected a representative from the town of Hampton to the general assembly. In the fall of IS68 he opened a law office in the city of Hartford, and soon after formed a partnership with Henry E. Burton which continued for three or four years. Since the dissolution of this partnership he has maintained his legal practice uninterruptedly until the present, unassociated. He was chosen assist- ant clerk of the Connecticut House of Representa- tives in 1869, clerk of the house in IS70, and clerk of the senate in 1871. In July, 1871, he was appointed by Judge H. B. Freeman clerk of the police court of Hartford, which office he retained for three years. In 1873 he was elected a member of the common council of that city, serving one term. In April, 1878, he was elected judge of the Hartford City Court, and continued to hold the office by suc- sessive re-elections until April, 1891. Judge Ben- nett was married in 1877, to Miss Alice Howard,
daughter of Hon. James L. Howard of Hartford. There are no children in the family. Judge Ben- nett's religious connections are with the Asylum Hill Congregational church. In politics he has always been a republican; has served on the state central committee, and was its secretary for several years. He is respected as an upright citizen, who has conscientiously and ably performed the public duties which have devolved upon him in whatever position of trust or responsibility he has been placed.
In the latter part of May of the present year, after the preparation of the foregoing sketch, Judge Bennett was appointed postmaster of Hartford, to succced Major J. C. Kinney, deceased.
WILLIAM FRANCIS ANDROSS, EAST HART- FORD: Secretary Connecticut State Agricultural Society.
William F. Andross, born at East Hartford, Conn., June 21, 1850, has passed his entire life in that and the adjoining town of South Windsor, He received his education in various public and private schools, and was married September 21, 1874, to Irene E. Bidwell of Man- chester, by whom he has three children, two sons and one daughter, few men being more fortu- nate in their domestic re- lations. As a business man, Mr. Andross has been engaged in market gardening, tobacco grow- ing, and at present as a W. F. ANDROSS. commercial traveler in the fertilizer and chemical line, representing the well-known house of H. J. Baker & Brother of New York. For the past ten years he has been actively connected with the com- inercial fertilizer trade, acting at different times for the Bowker Fertilizer Company, the Bradley Fertilizer Company, the Soluble Pacific Guano Company, and is also at present agent for the Brockway Carriage Company of Homer, N. Y., and the Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Com- pany. While not specially active in politics, he is a decided republican, and has held various town offices.
Mr. Andross is perhaps best known throughout the state as secretary of the Connecticut State Agricultural Society, to which position he has just been unanimously eleetel for a fifth term, and has filled its difficult and onerous duties with remarka- ble ability and success. He is also a vice-president of the Tolland County Agricultural Society, a di-
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rector in the New England Tobacco Growers' Asso- ciation, the Patrons Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, the Hartford County Agricultural, and the Hartford County Horticultural societies. He took an active interest in the Order of Patrons of Hus- bandry, and was a charter member and first secre- tary of South Windsor Grange, No. 28, and was for two years a member of the State Grange executive committee, having the trading arrangements of the order in hand; was also a charter member of Cres- cent Lodge, I. O. O. F., of East Hartford.
Mr. Andross has also been an extensive contribu- tor to the agricultural and local press, his thorough familiarity with tobacco growing in the Connecticut valley giving his articles a more than ordinary value.
C. M. HOLBROOK, HARTFORD : Boot and Shoe Manufacturer.
Caleb Metcalf Holbrook was born in Milford, Mass., in 1822, and was educated at Shelburne Falls in that state. At the age of twenty-two he removed to Hartford and from here to Cincinnati, Ohio. The gold excite- ment of 1849 led him to the Pacific slope and he wears to this day a heavy gold ring which was made from the first gold found by him in the mines of California. The voyage to California was made by way of Cape Horn. In passing the latter a gale C. M. HOLBROOK. was encountered that lasted thirteen days, sweeping the vessel 400 miles out of its course. The trip from New York to San Francisco lasted 207 days. From the Golden Gate to Sacramento the trip was made in an open boat. Mr. Holbrook was fourteen months in the mines. The ship on which the voyage to California was made was the Henry Lee. Mr. Holbrook was absent about three years. Since 1852 he has been engaged in the leather business, mainly in the manufacture of boots and shoes. The original firm was Hunt & Holbrook. Subsequently it became Hunt, Hol- brook & Barber, remaining under that name until the death of Mr. Barber in 1879. Since that time it has been known under the original name. Mr. Holbrook has been a director in the Travelers In- surance Company for twenty-five years and is one of the best-known business men in the city. He is a republican in politics and has served three years in the common council board. He is a member of the First Baptist church. His family consists of a
wife and two daughters. The former was Miss Anna E. Nelson prior to her marriage. Mr. Hol- brook resides at No. 340 Farmington avenue, own- ing and occupying one of the pleasantest residences in that part of the city.
JOSEPH L. BARBOUR, HARTFORD: Attorney- at-Law.
Joseph L. Barbour was born in Barkhamsted, Litchfield county, December 18, 1846, and was edu- cated in the Hartford High school and Williston Seminary at East Hamp- ton, Mass. He is a son of the late Judge Barbour of Hartford, a gentleman of eminent philanthropy, and has spent the most of his life in the city of Hartford. In 1864 Mr. Barbour was obliged to give up his plans for a college course, and en- gaged in teaching. This avocation was pursued for J. L. BARBOUR. two years. In 1867 Mr. Barbour commenced a successful career of journalism in this city, and was associated for seven years with the Hartford Even- ing Post. He retired from that paper in 1874, and has since devoted his attention to the law. Mr. Barbour is one of the ablest jury lawyers in the county, and has a large and steadily increasing practice. He is a republican in politics, and has held a number of important and responsible posi- tions within the gift of his party. He was clerk of the common council board in this city for four years, and has held the house and senate clerkships, proving himself a man of unusual competence in these offices. Mr. Barbour's work in connection with the house and senate journals was of the highest order. For eight years he was elected prosecuting attorney by the court of common coun- cil here, and discharged the duties of that office with marked success. Mr. Barbour has been as- signed to no place of public service in which he has not shown exceptional tact and ability. His best political service has been rendered on the stump through successive presidential campaigns. There is not a republican speaker in the state who can surpass Mr. Barbour as a campaigner. His repu- tation is not limited to Connecticut. In New York and New Jersey he has been one of the most popu- lar favorites. In other fields his oratorical efforts have been equally brilliant. Mr. Barbour's Memo- rial Day orations have been models of eloquent and fascinating eulogy. He was a member of the Connecticut National Guard for six years, and is a
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
member of the Veteran Association of the Hart- ford City Guard. He is also a member of St. John's Lodge, F. and A. M., of this city, and of Charter Oak Lodge, I. O. O. F. His church rela- tionships are with Rev. Dr. Parker's, where he is a regular attendant. Mr. Barbour's family consists of a wife and three children, the former being a daughter of Assistant Postmaster Oliver Woodhouse of the Hartford post-office. A daughter of Mr. Barbour is now a student at Vassar College.
LEMUEL T. FRISBIE, HARTFORD: Merchant and Manufacturer.
Mr. Frisbie is a native of "Wintonbury," a parish of Old Windsor, the name of which is now obsolete, the parish limits being included in the present town of Bloom- field. Wintonbury was so called because its terri- tory comprised sections of the three towns of Wind- sor, Farmington,
and Simsbury, the orthogra- phy of the word being in- tended to express the com- position of the parish. Mr. Frisbie's first Ameri- can ancestor, his grand- father on his mother's side, was Thomas Taylor, L. T. FRISBIE. who came to America from England about 1770, settled in Connecticut, and became a very successful farmer. He was of royal lineage, in direct descent from a reigning English sovereign through a member of his family who forfeited titles and estate by contracting a marriage outside the royal line. The subject of this sketch was born February 7, 1824. He was the son of a farmer, and was trained in all the habits of economy, industry, and thrift which character- ized the New England farmer of that period. He attended the district school, and graduated from the Connecticut Literary Institution at Suffield in IS42. He thus remained at the old homestead in Bloomfield until eighteen years of age, going thence to Windsor for two years, to Hartford for four years, to West Hartford for two years, then back to Windsor, where for the fourteen years from 1850 to 1864 he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the meat business. Since 1864 he has been engaged in merchandizing and manufac- turing in Hartford, taking up his residence here in 1874.
Mr. Frisbie was married in 1848 to Miss Caroline E. Gillett, daughter of Oliver S. Gillett of Wind- sor. Her ancestors were among the first settlers of Hartford, coming from Roxbury, Mass., with one of the three colonies which settled respectively in
Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford. Mr. and Mrs. Frisbie have had four children - two daugh- ters died in childhood. A son and daughter remain. The former, Charles G. Frisbie, who is associated with his father in business, married Miss Belle S. Welles of Hartford, and has - three children; the daughter, Ella T., married George H. Woolley of Hartford, and has four children.
Mr. L. T. Frisbie was a member of the common council of Hartford for four years, from 1878 to 1882 inclusive. He is a member of the Asylum Avenue Congregational church, and chairman of the society's committee. In politics he is, and has been since the organization of the party, a stalwart republican. He is active and influential in church affairs, a prominent and useful citizen, and has a foremost place among the prosperous business men of Hartford.
HON. ORRIN CHAPMAN, NORTHI STONINGTON: Farmer.
Orrin Chapman of North Stonington, son of Elias and Eunice (Miner) Chapman, was born in the town of his past and present residence, July 6, 1834. His education was ob- tained in the common school. The son of a farmer, Mr. Chapman was bred to the calling of agriculture, which he has successfully followed. In 1855 he married Miss Jane D. Smith. Their family numbers two sons and two daughters. The elder son, Elias O. Chap- man, is noe of the enter- prising young business men of Meriden. In pol- ORRIN CHAPMAN. itics Mr. Chapman is a republican. His superior ability has been recognized by his fellow-towns- men in the bestowal of many of the offices within their gift. He has been a member of the board of selectmen five years, three years as first selectman, in which capacity he served his constituency faith- fully and well, and by his kindly efforts in behalf of the wards of the town won not only the grati- tude of these unfortunates, but the commendation of all humane persons familiar with his policy. He was a member of the house of representatives in 1878, and again in 1882. Mr. Chapman's church connection is with the Third Baptist church of North Stonington, which, since ISS7, re-elected all- nually, he has served as clerk and treasurer. With fidelity, fearlessness, honor, and justice as liis watchwords, he belongs to that class of citizens which, collectively, are the strength and the security of the commonwealth.
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DANIEL KIEFER, WATERBURY: Die Sinker.
Daniel Kiefer was born in Germany, December 15, 1841, and received a thorough public school training. At the age of twelve years he came to New York and after- wards established him- self in business in the city of Waterbury. The war of 1861 awakened in him an enthusiastic patriotism and his services were freely given for the pro- tection of his adopted country. Daniel Kiefer is one of the best-known Grand Army men in the state, and has held im- DANIEL KIEFER. portant positions in the Connecticut department. He is a member of Continental Lodge, F. and A. M., of Waterbury, an organization that can boast the membership of such men as ex-Congressman Stephen W. Kellogg, Judge George H. Cowell, Colonel John B. Doherty, and Major Lucien F. Burpee of the Second regiment. He is also con- nected with the Odd Fellows and Concordia Sing- ing Society of Waterbury. He has held the presi- dency of the board of councilmen in Waterbury, and the office of police commissioner. His wife, who is still living, was Miss Elizabeth C. Moser be- fore marriage. There are no children. Mr. Kiefer is a republican in politics. His business is that of a die sinker.
JOSEPH B. BANNING, DEEP RIVER (SAYBROOK): Judge of Probate.
Judge Banning is a native of the town and vil- lage where he now resides; he was born December 16, 1840, the only son of Arba H. and Hannah M. Banning. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native town, learned the trade of shoe making, and was con- nected as junior partner with the firm of A. H. Banning & Son, until the death of his father in 1880, since which time he has conducted the busi- ness alone. At the age of twenty-two he mar- J. B. BANNING. ried Miss Ansolette A. Smith, daughter of Charles D. Smith, Esq., of Deep River. Mr. Ban- ning's father was judge of probate for the district of Saybrook for a period of sixteen years, up to the time of his decease. Mr. J. B. Banning was chosen
as his successor, and has thus held the judgeship since 1880. He is a member of the Connecticut Probate Assembly, and has been its secretary and treasurer since the death of Judge West of Rock- ville. He is also a justice of the peace for the town of Saybrook.
Mr. Banning has been in the boot and shoe trade all his life. In 1886 he erected the building on Main Street, Deep River, which he now occupies both as store and residence. He is a member of the Congregational church, an undoubted republi- can, and a member of Webb Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Deep River.
ISRAEL HOLMES, WATERBURY: Banker.
Israel Holmes, eldest son of Samuel J. Holmes, was born in Waterbury, August 10, 1823. He re- ceived a common school and academic education, and at the age of nine- teen entered the employ of the Benedict & Burn- ham Manufacturing Com- pany as clerk in their gen- eral store in that place, remaining in their em- ploy about twelve years, during the time becoming a stockholder in the con- cern. He was twice elect- ed town clerk of Water- bury. In the spring of 1859 he went to Liverpool, ISRAEL HOLMES. England, to represent various manufacturing companies, remaining there twelve years, returning to his native town in 1871. His residence there included the period covered by the late war of the rebellion in this country. From the time that Mason and Slidell were taken from an English ship to the time of the assassination of Abra- hamn Lincoln the life of a Northern man in England was anything but agreeable. In every public place, on the street, in railway cars, in fact everywhere, one heard the North denounced in unmeasured terms. Mr. Holmes narrowly escaped a personal encounter on more than one occasion, and is glad to believe that, though he did not bear arms, he was able to be of some service to his country.
In 1874 Mr. Holmes entered into partnership with Guernsey S. Parsons, to succeed Brown & Parsons; and, under the firm name of Holmes & Parsons, the connection still continues. Mr. Holmes has been a successful business man, and is a director in several of the leading manufacturing firms in Waterbury and vicinity. In politics he is a republican, and as such represented his native town in the legislature of 1879.
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